For everyone not reading this (everyone), I'm sorry for my lack of posting.  There was absolutely no way for me to post last week.  It was just full of Education Week at BYU classes, visiting family and friends, and, when I wasn't enjoying life on the other side of the Mississippi, I was passing out onto the rock-solid dorm bed from the exasperated exhaustion my body was pressing on my eyelids.

So, let me take you through my week.

We got to Utah about an hour earlier than we were supposed to, but it was all good.  It was a little after noon.  We met up with Abby and Hernando at Gardener's Village.  It was such a cute place.  We at lunch at this quirky restaurant, and I had this thing that was basically fish and chips (fries), but it had a different name that I can't remember.  The last syllable was "but" and I wish I could remember to make me seem less immature, but such is life.

We walked around the little stores, and I had my first Dad's Red Cream Soda it was quite sugary, but good, nonetheless.  Abby enforced my trying it, and she too purchased one.

We then went to Temple Square and did all that we could do there, besides go into the Temple.  I definitely appreciated the whole experience more, now that I have the mental capacity to do so (the last time I was there, I was eight).  I kind of got silently emotional about it.  I was really tired, and just lacking in some self-control, but no one noticed, and I just got to have that moment with myself and the model of the Temple inside the visitors center.  I just have--over these past two years--gained such strength from the story of the Pioneers.  I feel like, if they can do all of that, and still remain faithful and true, I have an easy life.  When I'm struggling with something, I think of them, and suddenly, my problems are minuscule and my complaints unnecessary.

We weren't expecting to do all of this in one day, but I was glad we did.

When we were done for the day, we headed to Payson to stay with my Uncle Ken and Aunt Shelley.  We hit the bed after talking to them for a bit.  It was one of the most exhausting days of my life, but I did get a start on my summer reading, since school was to start the next Monday (tomorrow).

Sunday, we went on a hike at Sundance with Shelley and Kassidee (my cousin), which wasn't too bad.  We got to the top via ski lift, and the whole thing was supposed to be downhill, but there were one or two hills that left us flat-landers breathless.  There were also some downhill parts that were a bit difficult to stay stable on due to the loose rocks beneath our feet.  I only fell twice, and caught myself before my butt hit the ground, but of course, both times had to occur when my athletic aunt and cousin were walking behind me.  Super.  Although, Kassi did fall once, which was definitely scary in my eyes, because as we found out upon our arrival, she is two months pregnant!  Excitement!  (The fact that she's pregnant, not the fall.  haha.)

We then met up with Ken, Eric (Kassi's brother/my cousin), his wife, Lauren, their semi-new daughter, Zooey, and Dresden (Kassi's husband who isn't the most sociable, happy-camper) at Deer Lake Park/Reservoir.

Okay, sue me.  I didn't have my Sabbath Day Observance.  I did feel somewhat bad about it, but I also didn't.  You're supposed to spend time with your family, and sometimes the only time to do so is on Sundays in ways that will bring you closer in your relationships, but maybe not so much with your spirituality.  So there.

Whilst tubing behind the boat, my mom and Eric kind of flew, and my mom tore up her shoulder.  It's not broken, but it's still hurting her a week later:/.  My tubing experience was "leisurely" as Eric kept saying during the venture.  I guess I conveyed anxiety beforehand when I said I didn't want to do it.  I was honestly only waiting to see how difficult it would be for others to get back into the boat--even with the ladder.

My last experience in trying to get back on a boat after tubing ended up with me somewhat mooning someone who I was trying to get to sponsor me for this medical forum I went to last summer.  Not my most elegant moment.

It's taken me about two hours to write this post.  I keep taking breaks.  I then debate about whether or not just to continue this post tomorrow.  Then, I realize that I'll probably be ranting about something tomorrow that takes away from the amazing time I had in Utah.

I realize this blog in its entirety is one of those "I did _____ today, and it made me feel ____."  Then, a paragraph is written dissecting the matter at hand.  I'm sure others would rather see some political post about who is running in the next election and how much they suck for little reasons or some philosophical ideas comparable to Aristotle's, but with a modern twist.  You may even just want me to post a bunch of gossip about those in my life and in the Hollywood scene, but no.  I'm writing to remember these days of my youth.  To remember who was there, what I ate, when I cried, when I laughed, when my hope and joy was at its highest peak.  This is why I'm writing this blog.

I'm just going to continue tomorrow with the aspects of my trip, and give you the 411 on my first day of school.  I need to take a shower and attempt slumber.

It's 12:50AM.  I have to get up to get ready for Seminary and the start of my junior year of high school at 5AM.  I have rarely ever slept more than an hour the night before school starts.

I started and finished Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton.  I just have no idea what time I started and ended.  I really loved it, but I think my English teacher really needs a hug based on the things she makes us read.  They have never had happy endings.

Sweetdreams, reader.

Utah, Here I Come!

Ugh, I accidentally watched a rated R movie.  Way to go, Jazmin.  It was Amelie, and I should have known it was rated R from the beginning, but I just erased it from my mind and fast forwarded where I thought necessary:/.

I also watched Paper Heart.  I liked it.  It wasn't awful, and it was an interesting concept, but I didn't love it.  Even if Michael Cera does consistently play the same role in each of the films he's in, I still love that character.  Sorry if you feel differently.  The chick reminded me a lot of my best friend, Gabby.

After that, I watched The Bumblebee Flies Anyway.  I probably only watched it because Elijah Woods is the main character, and he and Dominic Monaghan are all over my childhood diaries.  The movie was very Lifetime-esque.  Of course, ten minutes or so before the movie was about to end, my computer chooses to inform me that it will be updating itself within the next fifteen minutes.  I decided, since the movie was almost over, I wouldn't click the "Restart now" button, but wait for the countdown to hit zero.  Big mistake.  The computer started shutting down at the very moment when Mr. Elijah is deciding whether or not to jump (you'll know what I mean if you've seen it.)  I decided to just let it do its thing, and go to sleep.  It would be an hour before I've been going to bed (it was around 4am.)  I finished it this afternoon (I woke up at 2:15pm:/), but I won't spoil the ending for you.

Today, I did laundry and packed.  Of course, the washing machine decided to start leaking last night, so I had to "keep an eye on it."  It ended up leaking again today whilst my not looking.  Super.  My mom wasn't her happiest.

I also got my class schedule today.  Finally.  I am taking AP Statistics this year, and I am not excited about that prospect.

What I am excited about is the fact that I will be in Utah in about thirteen hours.  I'll be seeing Abby and Hernando (my friends who moved back to their hometown in Utah a couple of weeks ago) once again.  I'll also be seeing my Uncle Ken and Aunt Shelley, which is a definite excitement.  My Uncle Kenny is one of my dad's three brothers.  He's kind of been the one I've always admired and felt most at ease around.  I do love the others equally, of course, but Ken is just more light-hearted and intellectual in my eyes, but at the same time, he's this big teddy bear.  One of my favorite memories is when they were visiting Florida, and they were staying with us.  The morning they left, I heard someone coming into my room.  I played possum and pretended to still be asleep, and soon felt his hairy face giving me a goodbye peck on the cheek. I didn't just know it was him because of his scruffy beard, but because of the joy and comfort that filled my room once he entered it.  I love my Aunt Shelley, too, of course.  She talks to me like she's genuinely interested in what I have to say.  She's just one of those people that you instantly want to talk to upon seeing her.

It's going to be so freaking hard saying goodbye to Abby and Hernando again.  It was hard even when I knew I'd be seeing them in a couple of weeks.  Abby has just become what I feel a sister would be.  We can tease each other and slip sarcastically snotty remarks one moment, and in the next, explain how much we love each other.  Hernando, her husband, is kind of like a brother to me in many ways.  They both are such great examples to me, and I love them so much.

I've decided not to even attempt sleep.  There's no way I can make myself fall asleep, even if I was tired.  The thought of me seeing these people who I love so dearly within hours is just something that will keep my mind racing right through to the time my alarm goes off.

Yesterday, I spent the entire day reading some of Sense and Sensibility and a lot of The Bell Jar (It's one of my summer reading assignments, and I figured I'd better get it started.  It started reading it at 5:26pm), and reading about the Bronte family.  My favorite book is Jane Eyre, and the fact that there is a Charlotte in S and S, threw my mind into wanting to read about Charlotte Bronte again (I've read about her a couple of times before.)  Then, I became more interested in her other family members.  It kind of made me dislike Charlotte Bronte a bit.  She wouldn't let her sister, Anne's, manuscript of her second novel be published after she had died, simply because she thought it was too realistic for society to handle.  Even though her other sister, Emily's, Wuthering Heights probably possessed more violence.  The Wikipedia article said something about Emily's novel being more romantically dramatic than Anne's.  From all the reading of this family, I've come to the conclusion than Anne is my favorite.  I'd like to think I'm a lot like her.  Sure, she'll deal with the crap she has to deal with patience, but she still sticks up for herself.

Naturally, I logged into Netflix, and ordered every movie about the Bronte family.  I also searched for movie adaptions of Anne's novels, but only found one for The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.  It was three hours and on the instant play list.  So, I watched it all today.  I really liked it.  Though, I did skip a couple of parts because it seemed like they were taking a turn for the worst.  I'd really like to read it and Agnes Grey.

Funnily enough, the guy who played Gilbert Markham (the love-interest) also plays in my favorite film adaption of Jane Eyre.  This time he had a bit of a Scottish-sounding accent;).  That was quite nice.

What was also quite nice was the fact that there were no Edmunds, Edwards, Charlottes, or Janes.  Don't get me wrong, I love those names (with the exception of one when referring to a sparkly vampire.)  It's just a nice change.

Well, I'm off to bathe, and pack my toiletries.

Sweetdreams, reader.

"I've got a tight grip on reality..."

I went to sleep at 5am last night.  Record-breaker for this summer.  I woke up a few times this morning, sort of. It was one of those half awake/half asleep ordeals.  My body, not I, decided it would be a good idea to just sleep for another hour or so, which, of course, meant until 1:30pm to my somewhat subconscious mind.

I wanted to wake up at 10am, but somehow didn't hear my alarm.  I wanted to get my laundry going, clean my room, and be packed before leaving for Young Women tonight.  That didn't exactly happen.

I did little more than play Bejewled Blitz on Facebook and peel potatoes for my grandma.

It was a rather lazy day.

Tonight, in our Young Women's activity, we were going to use props and make a skit about stories from the Book of Mormon.  The leaders had a meeting in the side room, and we just closed the door, and sat in a circle and talked (I know, girly, right?)  It was really nice.  Elizabeth even stayed in the room.  She usually goes off and plays with the girls that are half her age.  I really wish she was more open to us who are her actual age, which she seems to be trying...somewhat.

This summer has really been a time where I have become so much closer to these girls.  They've become some of my closest friends.  It's really what I've always wanted, but was always afraid of.  I was afraid of being judged by them and not being able to be myself, but I'm more myself around them than most others.  I somehow always relate things back to my dead-beat of a father and the immoral example that is my brother when I talk to them, and I have no idea why.  I'm not like that with any other group of friends.  I don't like it, though.  I mean, I like that I can be utterly open, but I hate complaining about what life has thrown at me, because I'm all the more better because of those obstacles.

These past few summers, I've felt like I've gained such lifelong friends.  They're just so...I don't even know.  They're the sort of people I always want to be around.  They are just so freaking amazing.  They're such a light in my life.  I can't even keep track of how many times I have chosen to do things with them, rather than any other friends.  It's not that I don't love my other friends, but it's just so much easier being me around these girls, and even the Young Men.  Youth Conference was such a blessing, because of the friendships that have been strengthened from it and the testimony of mine that has grown immensely.

My entire life I have always been so afraid to not be accepted.  I've always conformed to the situation of friends that I am around, and these past three years have taught me that that's not okay.  It's not okay that my thoughts change from person to person just because I want to have friends.  Those aren't friends.  That's me living a lie to make others happy.  It took me about fourteen years of my life to realize it, but I'm glad I did.  I'm so happy right now.  I'm so grateful.  I love this world that my Savior and Heavenly Father have blessed me with.  Every inch.  Good and bad.

What are you grateful for, reader?

"Oh, what a day is today. Nothing can stand in my way..."

Yes, let's just cut to the chase.  I've missed a day or two.  On Sunday, Mother Nature decided to be bring a hateful visit.  When she visits, my body refuses to move.  Yesterday, I was on the road for about eight hours, and wanted nothing more than to talk to my mom and sleep.

Sunday, we didn't go to church because the water wouldn't work at all the night before, leaving us gross with lake water consuming our pores.  Also, the nearest LDS church was an hour and a half away, which would mean a three hour trip, which my grandma was too afraid to take because her car has so many miles on it.

We went to Rocky's mom's house, which was three stories (including the basement) and completely a-mazing.  The view of the lake alone was enough for me to want to buy the house.  They had just moved in about two weeks ago, and I wanted to move in with them, but they already had three people (Rocky's sister, mom and grandmother), so I figured it'd be a bit crowded.

We didn't stay for too long, but it felt like forever because of how much pain I was in.  My grandma didn't seem to get the hint when I wrote three texts to her asking when we were leaving.  She went outside to take a call instead of comprehending the message's meaning.  It was great.

Yesterday, we drove home.  I always hate the rides back from trips because I want nothing more than to be home, and I want to be there instantaneously... not eight hours later.  We actually got off our route which caused the trip to become about an hour or so longer than originally planned.

My cousin, Nathanael, passed his G.E.D. test (he's homeschooled), and we saw that his diploma was already framed when we dropped Joshua off (he had just received it in the mail that same day).  I was quite proud of him.  He said he'll be getting his mission call in about a week.

He kept nudging me in the same way I nudge my mommy when I want her attention, or if I just want to make sure she's there.  I put him on the spot about it, and he said that he's missed me and is going to miss me when he leaves.  Baww:).

Seeing him last night, it just seemed like he was no longer the little boy that I played with when I was a kid.  He has been a legal adult for some time now, and he's had the stature of an adult for a few years, but I always refused to see him as anything other than my little cousin (even if he is three years my senior.)

Growing up, it always bugged me that he looked up to my brother, Sean, so much, and didn't really give me the time of day.  Well, at least, that's how my little mind perceived it.

I always hurt when he wanted to play video games with Sean, rather than play toys or basketball with Nicholas and I.  Back then, I always felt closer to Nicholas and Joshua (his brothers), and when Tosha (their sister) was born, she was attached to Sean, too.  This distorted my view that, "Oh, Sean is the oldest boy, and Nathanael, being the second oldest, just wants to be as cool as his older cousin."  Even on my paternal side of the family, I felt as though Sean was the favorite.  The fact that Nathanael would rather play with him was just heartbreaking, in my eyes.

As he got older, and Sean was led more and more down the wrong path, I was always afraid that Nathanael, Nicholas, Joshua, and Tosha still were looking up to him; still wanting to following every step he took.

They were just so isolated with the three of the boys being homeschooled and not having much of an outlet to the outside world besides the television.  It has always worried me.  I've always been scared that they'd be gullible and come across the wrong people or wrong place without realizing it before it was too late.  I was always afraid they perceived things in the way that the media would present them.

Sure, Nathanael has gotten his Eagle, and got his diploma, but so did Sean.  That thought was, regrettably, always in the back of my mind.  They accomplished this or that, but so did Sean.  He still fell.  He still diminished into someone who was no longer the Jem to my Scout.  He hurt our family, and I have always been afraid that Nathanael and his siblings would face the same downfall.

Seeing Nathanael last night, in a new light--a light that showed the strong testimony and armor of God that he possesses-- made all of my worry disappear.  He is doing something that I can't say Sean did.  He is, willingly, taking two years of his life and devoting them to serving his Heavenly Father and following in his Savior's footsteps.  He is setting the example that I always wanted my brother to set for me.  I've never been more proud of anyone.  Sure, I'm going to miss him like crazy, and I love him so much, but what he is doing, and what joy that brings to my heart, I can't even describe.

Whenever and wherever he is sent, that part of the world will become my second favorite place in the world (if he isn't sent to Scotland, obviously.)

I hate that I didn't spend a lot of time with him this summer, but I love how much closer we've become over these past couple of years.

I love you, Elder King, and I know you'll make me proud.

Sweetdreams, reader.

Macho Monologue

Ugh, I have "Party in the USA" stuck in my head.  Fantastic:/.

Again, I didn't write because Colton (that's how you spell his name, apparently) was here last night and didn't leave until around midnight. Which is fine, I guess. I think I was just a bit cranky the night before when he gave his macho monologue. I mean, that's still a pet peeve of mine, but I was just a bit too harsh in my last entry, I think.

Yesterday, we went to Flat Rock.  Which is kind of like a beach, but instead of sand, there's granite-like rock, and instead of salt water, it's lake water.  It was interesting.  I went there when I came last time (three years ago), but I don't remember swimming.  I think it was a weird sort of cold, which is weird only because in was in July.

It was really beautiful.  It was a little difficult not slipping in on the first steps because the more shallow part's rocks were a bit slimy.

We (Josh, Colton, and I) swam out to the buoy, which was beyond exhausting considering the fact that I haven't been to the gym in a month or two.  I started swimming back--slowly, but surely-- and met Mickalene halfway.  She had a little float thing, so we just kind of hung out and stayed there.  We talked a bit, which was nice:).

A bit later, Colton remembered having a tennis ball in his trunk, so we just threw it to each other and Josh, and played Monkey in the Middle.  It was fun, but we soon regretted not packing food.  We kind of had to beg Andy to make the frozen pizzas we had bought when we first got here.  So, we ate those, spaghetti, and garlic bread for dinner.

Shelby, Rocky's daughter came over around dinner.  She didn't really talk to us much, but whatever.

Josh, Colton,--for a little while-- Shelby, and I all watched TV.  Colton, Josh, and I got painfully bored towards the end of the night, but just kept watching shows on tivo.

I felt disgusting not taking a shower before bed, but, luckily, I got to take one this morning.

I kept having dreams about Harry Potter last night, but I'm definitely not complaining.

Oh, Y Chromosome, How You Baffle Me.

So, it's been approximately thirty-six hours since my last post. My bad. It's not like anyone else reads these. So, I think I'll let myself pass without any sort of punishment.

Yesterday, we basically hung around the house all day until 3pm and then we headed to that aforementioned little place where everything a town needs is. There were a few antique shops there that my grandma was interested in seeing, which is new to me, because I've never heard her even mention antiques in my entire existence.

It was actually pretty fun, though. It was like a thrift store with no clothes and everything seemed to be from the same time period. We went to two or three. The first one we went to was probably my favorite. All of the stores were set up in these old houses. The first one had each room set up like a normal room in a normal house. For example, the place where the kitchen presumably was had a dinner table set up and homemade jams and honey jars on the shelves of an old cupboard/pantry thing. It even had the original sink of the house. That was pretty nifty. The second one we went to, the first few rooms were just sort of things put into random sets with other things. I think that store was more of a consignment store. Once you got more towards the back, though, they had this little aisle/hall thing that you walked down, and on each side there was a bedroom set up with all of the things they had for sale. Most of them were bedroom-looking, anyways. There were a few that were just non-specific-looking rooms you'd find in a house. Not sure how to elaborate on that one. Sorry.

The third store we went to wasn't much of a store. It was supposedly a "vintage store" as the paint on the window said. It did have a few vintage items set up on random tables (there were about three of these tables in the whole room.) There was just the front room that was set up. When you looked into the back room, it just looked like someone just dumped a bunch of random things that they thought someone would enjoy, and left them unorganized on the floor. It looked like the place would crumble any minute. It was dusty and there were planks of wood on the floors of the back rooms. There were quite a few books on one of the three tables, but I wasn't too keen on digging through them. I was afraid of what I might find. The only things that looked clean, and I think they were the main thing this guy was trying to sell, were walking sticks that he and his supposed business partner had made. They were pretty cool, actually, but I was, again, too scared to dig deeper.

The non-questionable stores reminded me of Ikea, so that's probably the underlying reason why I liked them so much.

We went to the drugstore next to get some Claritin for yours truly. Esther had some cats over before we came, and I'm allergic. Joshua's Zyrtec hasn't been helping much, so I've been feeling like poop for the past couple of days. My grandma and I left Josh in the car with Esther, which I felt really bad about, because we finally established a definite understanding that we fear her equally. We took longer than I thought we would, too, because my grandma was looking at thank you cards and I was looking at all the random antique-looking things they had, which is a bit odd to have in a drugstore. I was also on the hunt for a magnet, but failed in that mission.

You see, dear reader, since I was a wee lass, every time my family and I have gone on our expeditions, we always bring back a magnet with the name of the place we went to on it. I'm not giving up hope just yet. I will find one.

We played cards a lot. SkipBo, Hand and Foot (The gma taught us to play, and it was quite complex), and square (Which was disastrous in explanation and execution. Way to go, Josh.) We also munched on a lot of junk food. By the time dinner and lunch rolled around, I was too full to eat much. Of course I felt bad about that, because the food was so delicious. None of the food we bought that first day we came has been touched. Andy has been cooking heavenly food since the second day we were here.

After our little shopping adventure, we went to Coltin's high school to look at the football stadium, for what reason is beyond my comprehension. We ended up catching the team as they were transporting their practice to another one of their fields, and for whatever reason, my grandma and Esther decided to shout out the window to Coltin.

Coltin came over for dinner later as he and his mom have been doing each night since we got here. Rocky (his step-dad) came for a night or two, as well. Mickalene and Rocky didn't come last night, so Josh and I were left by the old folk (haha) to entertain Coltin. It was a bit awkward. Gma, Josh, and I were going to continue our game of SkipBo after dinner, and Coltin watched, then, played a second and third game with us. Grandma went to bed, and we watched Eureka and Haven (both shows I'd never heard of, but they were pretty cool. Eureka kind of reminded me of Star Trek, but I only saw the end of it because I was in the shower.)

Speaking of which... you know how the water has been going off and on? Well, after Josh took his perfect little shower, it turned off when I had been in there for two seconds. It was great. So, being that my hair still had shampoo in it, I had to wash it out somehow. So, I used the jugs of water in the bathroom to finish up my shower. It was cold. Very cold.

Coltin wouldn't leave, which is my excuse for not writing my entry last night. Apologies.

I told him and Josh about my ice storm of a shower, after running out of the bathroom, shivering. This proceeded:

Joshua: Blah, blah, blah sympathy.

Coltin: Oh, yeah? You think that's cold?

Me: Yeah. Well, I have been sweating in this miserable heat all day.  So, it's quite a contrast with the cold.

Coltin: Pfffft, I'm macho, so I've had worse. Try playing football all day, and having your coach force you to jump into the iced bath for at least 60 seconds--because that sounds more macho than me saying one minute--Yeah, mine's worse. You're a wimp. I'm a man. I spit and chew tobacco. I watch and play sports more than anyone. I bench-press five times my body weight. I'm manly. Macho, macho, macho.

Me: -silent glaring-

I absolutely detest how those with Y chromosomes compute this way whilst another confides in them something they think was an awful experience. Life is not a competition. Shut your face and be sympathetic. Thank you!

-cough- Sorry. Just a bit of a pet peeve.

Well, reader, I'm off. We're supposed to go to this lake/beach thing that's surface is completely granite. I'm quite excited.

"Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration."

Um, so I'm becoming hooked on NCIS. It's not as repetitive and annoying as those other crime shows. We were kind of forced to watch it because my great aunt has it on an instant recording tivo thing, but I'm not complaining. I also got to watch some Medical Incredible today, which may not seem exciting to every other teenage girl, but it definitely is a treat to me.

I bought this vintage traveling trunk today. It's yellow and faded with stickers on it. I. LOVE. IT. That's all I bought, and I wasn't even going to get out on that stop when we were doing the yard sale because it was murderously hot, but there ended up being a million things I wanted at that particular stop. They had these vintage Spock and Captain Kirk action figures. They also had all of this vintage Disney stuff and Star Wars toys and this Darth Vader mask. It was basically my entire life on four tables.

We ended up only doing about two miles of the yard sale because of the miserable heat and my Great Aunt Esther had a headache. Which was fine. We did get some homemade ice cream, which was quite delicious and quite messy. At least, mine was:/.

This morning was a bit difficult, though. My grandma and I slept in the same bed, and she got up at 4am. Why is beyond me. She took a shower and whatnot, so I heard her get up and go in there. Then, she laid down again, and I didn't realize she was there until I stretched out and accidentally hit her. Wupz. Then, the hurricane came. At 8am, my great aunt came down and started talking loud and laughing a bit obnoxiously. She then proceeded to repeatedly tell Joshua and me to wake up and take showers. Now, I don't think I mentioned this in my last post, but they're having trouble with keeping their water on and their AC is broken, which made for a heat-infested sleep. I wanted nothing more than to take a shower. I let Josh take his first, but the water had gone out again, apparently, so we told my aunt, and she told my great uncle. So, he turned it on. Then, it turned off while Josh was in the shower. Needless to say, after a perspiration-filled night, I didn't get to shower, and Josh barely got all of the shampoo out of his hair.

We got back from Mickalene's a couple of hours ago. We took showers there. I've never loved her more. They have quite a few cats at their house right now and two dogs and they kind of congregated towards me. I don't know if it was because I smelled good after taking a shower, or because I had some sort of aura. Haha. I love animals:).

My grandma was actually thinking about leaving tomorrow because we were just so gross and miserable, but now wants to stay until Monday.

I'm not sure what we're doing tomorrow.

Sweetdreams, reader. I'm so freaking exhausted.

"...Where the skies are so blue"

So, I'm in Alabama at the moment (as you are probably aware and annoyed by because of the fact that I keep mentioning it.)

I am most definitely a girl of the city, but I can definitely enjoy the unique beauty of the boondocks. In my mind, everywhere you go there is something beautiful; you just have to look at each place from different eyes. I really do love all the greenery here, and the fact that there are actually hills which allow you an aerial view, which forces your willing eyes to take in the majestic trees that look like they've been sculpted by the perfect artist. It baffles me how the majority deny the existence of such a creator when there is some kind of beauty everywhere the eye can see.

While my Great Aunt Esther is kind of scary and a little hard to handle, it provides loving entertainment. She's actually very knowledgeable, it's just hidden beneath random observations and a few slurs of speech. I also got to see her husband, my Great Uncle Andy--who I thought was in Las Vegas (they used to live there), but obviously isn't. I love that he always insists when offering things that he thinks will make us comfortable, but not to the point that it's overbearing. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that he's Filipino. I'm not being racist or anything, I love him to death, but I've also noticed that in my friend, Chelsea's family (who are all Filipino), and she's even told me it's just a part of the culture. I like that his insistence is subtle, though, and doesn't make you uncomfortable.

I also got to see Mickalene (sp?), their daughter, and her son, my second cousin, Coltin (sp?). We had a variety of chicken for dinner (teriyaki wings, mild wings, super spicy tenders, and regular tenders) and rice. I had to stop myself from eating it all. Although, the regular tenders were a bit dry, but whatever:).

It ended up taking me longer to put all of those songs on my itunes/ipod than I thought it would. I ended up not making it to bed until around 2:30am, and, even though I was exhausted, my mind would not let me rest for the hour and a half that I then had before my alarm was to go off. The last I checked my phone, it was 3:25am, and I really don't think I slept for more than twenty minutes before my phone started singing the beginning of Enrique Iglesias's "Let Me Be Your Hero". Ya know? That part that whispers, "Let me be your hero..."

I got up, brushed my teeth, packed my dental hygiene equipment and electronics after checking the pictures I was uploading to facebook before I went to bed (I have a problem.). I got up at 4am, and ended up having a half an hour to spare. Just fantastic.

We picked up Joshua, got some breakfast from McDonalds, and hit the road. Josh and I fell asleep around 7, and I kept waking up every hour or so, for some reason. Then, the AC decided to stop working, but it was okay with the nice breeze outside. I was grateful, though, that the AC worked after we had given it a rest for a couple of hours.  We also couldn't figure out why the XM radio wouldn't work, and then my grandma realized one of the cords wasn't hooked up to the back of it.  Great observation runs in the family, obviously.

It seemed like every time I woke up, there were more hills, which is not exactly the norm for a Floridian.

I had "Sweet Home Alabama" in my brain for most of the day, and funnily enough, I didn't use my ipod during any part of the ride. When we were all conscious, we just played a game and talked. It was really nice. We played this game where we would try to name states that started with certain letters of the alphabet, and I'm proud to say for two whole minutes, I thought I had said all of the W's, but then failed to remember one that I can't even recall after that incident. Of course.

The thing I don't really like about southern hospitality is that, sometimes, your neighbors are just a little too comfortable in your home and with those who you surround yourself with. There is an older couple that lives next door to my great aunt that are about as southern as they come. Don't get me wrong, they're nice and everything, but I'm just not the kind of person that comes up to someone that I've only met twice and rub them on the back in the way that you would a good friend you've known for at least a year. I don't know. I'm just a little bit of a freak, and I don't normally like to be touched. That's all.

Right now I'm watching Psych with Josh. I've had a really great time so far. Even if this town is a bit small, and there's this one place that has the basics of every town (prison, grocery store, a local restaurant or two, a subway for the healthy, the city hall, a souvenir shop, and a small hospital, plus a few other little places.) It was kind of odd to go to the grocery store--that you have to drive around to the back to enter-- and see the county prison staring you right in the face.  It really has been a great trip so far, and it has only just begun.

Tomorrow, we're going to the yard sale, and today the neighbors told us that it goes as far as Michigan this year. Yeah, we're definitely not going that far. There's really no plan for tomorrow, and we might even just do the sale thing Friday and Saturday instead. Not sure yet. I'll keep you posted:).

I'm exhausted despite the road naps, the nap I took here, and the multiple sodas. Sweetdreams, reader.

P.S. Here's a fun fact: The sky remained blue, even as it was raining when we pulled into the state. Way to go, Lynyrd; speaking the truth and whatnot.

"Dream catch me when I fall, or else I won't come back at all..."

Hey there, 11:24pm!

So, I was feeling tired around dinner time, but thanks to that milkshake I was craving last night and ate a few minutes ago, I'm a little more lively.  So much for going to bed early.

My all-nighter didn't exactly work out as planned.  I finally decided I'd just go read and whatever happened, happened, but I ended up not even reading, but turning off the light after saying a prayer.

I woke up a few times this morning and wanted to be productive, but my heavy eyelids and limbs opposed the notion.  I ended up getting out of bed at 12:21pm.

I ate a banana for breakfast, and my mom came home for lunch shortly after with a 12-inch meatball sub from Subway.  Six of the twelve inches were for me:).

After my mom left, I contemplated starting my laundry and packing what little of the clean clothes I had at that moment, but didn't.  I then decided I'd work on my assignment for Driver's Ed, but didn't.  Why?  This computer was staring me in the face with its enticing screen and keys.  Needless to say, my day was full of procrastination.

My speakers actually ended up breaking.  After dropping them on the floor so many times, they finally decided I had used up all of my second chances.  No matter what I did, the light that indicates they're working wouldn't come on for more than just a short moment.  This gave me an excuse for not doing my assignment because the particular one I planned on doing requires audio.

Around 4:30pm I finally started my laundry (just one load, mind you) of the things I was thinking about wearing.  The thing about my packing is, is that I pack for any and every situation.  My thought process is as follows:
"We might go out to a fancy restaurant, or maybe a semi-fancy restaurant, so I'll pack this nice top with some jeans and a skirt."
"Oh, there might be a pool/beach there, so everyone will probably want to go swimming, so I'll pack this bathing suit.  Wait, they might want to go swimming more than once, so I'll pack both of my bathing suits."
"Oh, I've packed too many white tops, so I'll just pack some extra non-whites just in case these get stained."
...and so forth

The thing about this trip is we don't really have much planned, besides going to the "biggest" garage sale (it stretches from Alabama to Ohio, but they, apparently, have many of these in different parts of the U.S. throughout the year.)  We also have to pack light because there will be three of us (my grandma, my cousin, Joshua, and myself) all crammed in my grandma's go-kart of a car.  So, there's no me packing for any and every situation, I just have to work with a few outfits.  While it was a challenge, I think I did pretty well.  There's actually still room in my suitcase, so I'm quite proud.

My mom, grandma, and I went out to dinner with my cousin, Ian, his wife, Heather, and their son, Dylan, and their nephew, Landon (Who is living with them right now.)  We went to Applebee's.  I ordered my chicken tenders, as always (I'm still five, get over it) and we talked about their trip to my favorite place in the world, North Carolina, and their current family situation.

My mom found some way to upload other people's music from their ipods to other people's itunes, so we just did that.  Of course, with my stupid computer, you have to play every individual song in the folder, in order for it to upload to your library.  AWESOME.

I also had to deal with webshots.com today whilst trying to organize and delete pictures from my computer's memory.  It was taking forever, so I started to do one at a time, thinking it would upload more quickly.  I was deceived in that thought process.

Well, I'm off to listen to 666 songs (yes, my mom is Satan, apparently.)  Then, I will try my absolute best to finish packing and falling into dreamland before 3am.

Faretheewell, reader.

A Chocolate Milkshake, Not Sleep, Is Beckoning Me

Hey!  Long time, no see!

See that?  I used a cliche to lure you into this blog entry because I had no other witty anecdote to persuade you into reading this super magnificent post.

Well, actually, it won't be super magnificent (that's a bit of a double-negative).  I'm just bored.  It is approximately an hour and a half post-first-blog-entry, and all I can think to do right now is make a milkshake.  Obviously, I'd have to mix it by hand in an effort not to disturb my family members in their slumber, but I'm frankly to lazy.

I guess I'll just post my movies and books now, considering it is my next post and it is, technically, the second day of me having this blog.

Books/Novels:

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Started: 7/7 (not sure what time) Finished: 7/8 6:33pm

Pretties by Scott Westerfeld
Started: 7/9 between 12:30pm and 1:30pm

House Rules by Jodi Picoult
Started: 7/16 1:27pm never finished (This was a book for book club, and I started it the day of our meeting, so I wasn't able to finish it, and I don't think I'm going to.)

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Started: 7/26 6:16pm  Finished: I'm still reading it...
Now, before you all get too excited, I'm not a big Jane Austen fan.  Throughout my entire life Pride and Prejudice was so overplayed and overmentioned in my household, that it became a nuisance in my eyes to the point that I felt it was my duty to rebel against taking any interest in it.  However, as of late, I have given it another chance and I now look at it with new, more open eyes.  I actually like it now, but I'm not gaga over it.  So, don't raise your blood pressure too high.

I've always loved the Sense and Sensibility with half of the cast of Harry Potter and I remember being very confused during my watching Persuasion at Girls Camp, but, overall, enjoying it.  So, I decided if I just had to read one Jane Austen novel in my lifetime, I'd choose Sense and Sensibility. 

So, there's that.

Movies:
I can't really remember the first couple in order, so you'll have to be patient, young grasshopper.

The Importance of Being Earnest
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Annie (I watched this a couple of times within the past week, actually)
Anastasia
The Musketeer (I watched this last night)
Up (I watched this yesterday, and it's one of my new favorite movies)

I think that's everything.  I can't decide whether or not to pull an all-nighter.  I usually just pass out near the end.  I think that staying up all night and day will help in the improvement of my sleeping pattern.  I had been going to bed earlier and earlier for some reason, but I kind of screwed that up tonight.  Maybe staying up will give me the chance to get everything back in order.  I'm leaving for Alabama at 5am on Wednesday, so I'll need to be getting to bed pretty earlier tomorrow/today.

I'm getting a million mosquito bites at the moment, and I'm not liking it.

Well, bye, I suppose.

P.S.  I didn't do much of anything today.  I meant to be productive and get started with my packing, and, possibly, doing an assignment for my online Driver's Ed class, but that didn't happen OF COURSE.

My Heart Is My Own, But I'd Like To Share It With You

Hey there!

Oh, yes, another blog.  Will it last?  Probably not,  but being that I turned sixteen a little less than a month ago, I've decided with that age change, comes more perseverance and such.  I've already come up with two projects to make me more productive and I'm really making it a priority to stick to them for at least a year.  One of those projects is this old thing.

Being LDS, family history has made its way across my hearing range quite a few times in my wee life, and because of that, I've always tried to do my part in keeping a diary or a journal.  I'll be doing good for about a month, maybe two, then I stop writing for a week, then I might write again in support of procrastination on another activity, then I don't write again for another two weeks, maybe I'll write on that third week, but after that, I just don't see the point.  I think of it as so many things have gone on in that timespan that I haven't recorded for my children or my grandchildren to read, and I don't feel those events worthy to be written of anymore because the exact feelings and moments that I want to remember can no longer be expressed in the way that I want them to be portrayed.  They will no longer suffice as being real enough for me; they will no longer convey the exactness that I would want to be portrayed.

Then, as I was talking with a couple of friends about this at Youth Conference, one of them told me that she likes to write her entries in a word document, and just print them because she doesn't like the fact that you can't go back and edit what you handwrite, and she doesn't want to put everything up on a blog for the entire world to see.  This is probably part of why I stop writing blog entries, because they become too personal, or because I make up excuses as to why I shouldn't write them anymore.  Whether it be because the blog was only supposed to be for the summertime, and no one is interested, anyways.  Or I don't have to write, I have a million freaking school assignments to do.  In these thought bubbles, I lose my reasoning as to why I started writing these blogs.  I'm not writing them to please my readers; I'm writing them so that my future kin will know me; know who I was, know who I wanted to be.  I'm not writing them to entertain others; I'm writing them to express how my day has been, how my life is going, who is annoying me or inspiring me at that moment in time.

While my friend prefers to keep her thoughts and feelings to herself, I want to convey mine to anyone who comes across this little project of mine.  I want to transfer my life to someone who may be in need of a laugh, or a virtual empathy hug.  While you may see this as wanting to write this thing for someone else, that's not what I mean when I say I wish share my story with someone who needs it.  I'm writing this for me, and me alone, but if it helps someone along the way, I am one-hundred and fifty million percent okay with that:).

Oh, and I plan to post these everyday before midnight.  If I don't, well, no one is really reading these yet, so I guess if I get some followers, I'll ask for punishments or something?  I don't know...

Sweet dreams, reader.

P.S.  My other "project" is to record every book I read for a year.  I started July eighth (my birthday).  So, I'll post them starting in my next blog.

P.S.S.  I just came up with another project!  Recording all of the MOVIES I watch;).  I've watched quite a few this past week, so I'll start from Thursday of last week, I think.  I'll post these tomorrow as well.